The president of Iraq's self-ruled Kurdish region says that time is running out for the government in Baghdad to decide on a power-sharing deal to end a political crisis.

Kurdish leader Masud Barzani said that without an agreement, Iraq could face political revolt -- and possibly, the secession of the northern Kurdish region that would destroy hopes for a unified, stable nation.

Barzani said Iraqi opposition parties, and Iraqi Kurds in general, had run out of patience with feeling sidelined by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's Shi'a-led government.

Barzani stopped short of predicting whether he thought Maliki would soon be ousted from power.